COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – Cleanup and recovery is underway across central Ohio after strong winds, heavy rains, and even tornadoes hit the region early Wednesday.

“I’ve got an electric pole down out back, got a couple trees down,” said Blacklick resident Rodney Snyder. I think the tree took the pole down. A couple shingles are missing, my chimney cap is lying over there in the yard.”

Thursday, homeowners continue to clean up and assess what repairs need to be made. 

Unfortunately, conniving contractors or outright scammers know that and go door-to-door offering quick and cheap fixes for hard-hit communities, but don’t deliver.

Consumer protection agencies like the Better Business Bureau (BBB) of central Ohio said after a storm is when “storm chasers” or shady contractors strike preying on the vulnerability of impacted homeowners to collect their cash.

The scam occurs when someone, claiming to be a contractor, arrives on a person’s doorstep explaining they just finished a job fixing storm damage on a nearby property, and since they’re already here, can handle their repairs too, often at a discounted price. Then, they more than likely will ask for payment upfront.

“What we find is a lot of times, you never see them again, you pay your money, pay a deposit, never see them again… or they start the job, but walk away before it’s done,” said president of the BBB of central Ohio, Judy Dollison. 

Dollison said these crews may lack the proper licensing, or offer quick fixes and big promises that fall through.

So, as convenient or compelling as it may seem at the moment, the BBB said homeowners should avoid agreeing to any repair work at their doorstep. Instead, they should research companies on their own, ask for references, get written estimates and compare bids, and pay no more than a third of the total cost prior to the work beginning.

“Don’t pay up front, don’t pay in full up front… pay along the way, and make sure you have a contract, make sure you understand the terms of the contract,” Dollison said.

For those who don’t know where to start with cleanup — check with an insurance company. If an individual is covered, they can provide suggestions for contractors, and help when it comes to moving forward with a signed contract.

Additionally, state law gives county auditors the authority to reduce real estate values for properties that have been damaged or destroyed by storms, which could result in lower real estate taxes for the property, until it’s been restored to its prior condition or value.